Transcript 09/13/2011 Bill Klemm

[BBTranscriptTeam]

Bill Klemm
Bronx, NY

Age 50, brought his mom
Mom said if asked her age, "I'll kill you," but it is a round number ending with a zero

Wants to go on a cruise with his family.

Topic Tree (pre-randomized):
10 Empire Records
9 Crime & Punishment
8 War and Remembrance
7 Barrel of Fish
6 Hot Tamale Express
5 Zoo Hours
4 Carb Counters
3 Let's Play
2 Tasty Tweets
1 Notes on the Fridge



Topic Tree: (Randomized)
10 Empire Records
9 Crime & Punishment
6 Hot Tamale Express
4 Carb Counters
7 Barrel of Fish
8 War and Remembrance
5 Zoo Hours
2 Tasty Tweets
1 Notes on the Fridge
3 Let's Play



Question 1 - Level 3 Let's Play
Based in Hoboken, NJ, Spike League is an amateur sports league for people interested in playing what?
A. Tennis B. Baseball
C. Volleyball D. Golf

ATA

A-2% B-17% C-73% D-8%
Bill said the answer hit him as he was awaiting the results

Answer and value

C. Volleyball
Value: $15K
Bank: $15K

Question 2 - Level 1 Notes on the Fridge
"Frisky," "curious" and "tabby" are three words features in what version of Magnetic Poetry Kit refrigerator magnets?
A. Horse Lover B. Dog Lover
C. Cat Lover D. Bird Lover

Answer and value

C. Cat Lover
Value: $25K
Bank: $40K

Question 3 - Level 2 Tasty Tweets
What actress sends messages to her fans using the Twitter account "mrskutcher"?
A. Halle Berry B. Demi Moore
C. Julia Roberts D. Angelina Jolie

Answer and value

B. Demi Moore
Value: $3000
Bank: $43K

Question 4 - Level 5 Zoo Hours
For over a century, a bell called the "Kaiserglockerl" has been rung to announce the daily closing time of a zoo in what European city?
A. Athens B. Rome
C. Vienna D. Dublin

JTQ 1

Bill is not sure but leaning Vienna as it sounds Austrian, or the language there

Answer and value

C. Vienna
Value: $5K jumped
Bank: $43K

Commercial break

Question 5 - Level 8 War and Remembrance
Marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, on April 12, 2011, two beams of light were aimed of the skies of what site?
A. Antietam B. Gettysburg
C. Fort Sumter D. Appomattox

JTQ 2

Bill said he does not know at all, and he would say he was leaning A after the answer was revealed

Answer and value

C. Fort Sumter
Value: $500 jumped
Bank: $43K

Question 6 - Level 7 Barrel of Fish
Culinarily speaking, which of these types of fish is considered a flat, white fish?
A. Tuna B. Halibut
C. Salmon D. Mackerel

Spoiler

Bill says his family has been working in seafood restaurants all his life so he should know.
Bill could eliminate A & C, and debated as to whether it was worth the gamble.
He said he is gutsy and would go for it.

Answer and value

B. Halibut
Value: $100
Bank: $43100

Question 7 - Level 4 Carb Counters
Whe a low carb dieter has entered into a state of ketosis, what is the body using for energy?
A. Fat B. Organ tissue
C. Muscle D. Bone

Spoiler

Bill reasoned that fat is most likely but decided not to gamble again.

Answer and value

A. Fat
Value: not shown
Bank: Bill walked with $21550

Commercial break

[Jeemie]

I know, I know- it's different on stage.

But extremely wimpy lifeline usage there.

[MarleysGh0st]

I know, I know- it's different on stage.

But extremely wimpy lifeline usage there.

And for that he gets $21,550.

[SportsFan68]

Question 1 - Level 3 Let's Play
Based in Hoboken, NJ, Spike League is an amateur sports league for people interested in playing what?
A. Tennis B. Baseball
C. Volleyball D. Golf

Bet Walhal would get this one.

Question 3 - Level 2 Tasty Tweets
What actress sends messages to her fans using the Twitter account "mrskutcher"?
A. Halle Berry B. Demi Moore
C. Julia Roberts D. Angelina Jolie

Another pop Q I know! Yay!

Question 5 - Level 8 War and Remembrance
Marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, on April 12, 2011, two beams of light were aimed of the skies of what site?
A. Antietam B. Gettysburg
C. Fort Sumter D. Appomattox

I dunno if this is geography or history, but I know it.

Question 6 - Level 7 Barrel of Fish
Culinarily speaking, which of these types of fish is considered a flat, white fish?
A. Tuna B. Halibut
C. Salmon D. Mackerel

Yay, Alaska! That's where I caught the wonderful, delicious, flat, white fish known as halibut.

[CarShark]

I must concur in being thoroughly unimpressed with this contestant. He botched an easy sports question because he gave up too quickly. The "Zoo Hours" question was a textbook example in how changing the structure of a question can trip up some contestants. They showed Bill a German word, and only one German-speaking city, but he never made the connection. It also showed that when a contestant has a big bank early, they play even more conservative than usual. After his first questionable jump drew awws from the audience, he remarked rather defensively, that "it's not your money" before proceeding to miss another easy question. It said on the screen, "Marking the 150th anniversary of the start..." so it was (in what's now a typical fashion) a roundabout way of asking where the Civil War started. But he just gave up again.

[MarleysGh0st]

Question 5 - Level 8 War and Remembrance
Marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, on April 12, 2011, two beams of light were aimed of the skies of what site?
A. Antietam B. Gettysburg
C. Fort Sumter D. Appomattox

I dunno if this is geography or history, but I know it.

It's history!

[earendel]

Bill Klemm
Bronx, NY

Age 50, brought his mom
Mom said if asked her age, "I'll kill you," but it is a round number ending with a zero

Wants to go on a cruise with his family.

Topic Tree: (Randomized)
10 Empire Records
9 Crime & Punishment
6 Hot Tamale Express
4 Carb Counters
7 Barrel of Fish
8 War and Remembrance
5 Zoo Hours
2 Tasty Tweets
1 Notes on the Fridge
3 Let's Play

So the top two questions stay at the top. If he can save his lifelines he might make it to Round 2.

Question 1 - Level 3 Let's Play
Based in Hoboken, NJ, Spike League is an amateur sports league for people interested in playing what?
A. Tennis B. Baseball
C. Volleyball D. Golf

ATA

A-2% B-17% C-73% D-8%
Bill said the answer hit him as he was awaiting the results

Answer and value

C. Volleyball
Value: $15K
Bank: $15K

So much for that idea.

Question 4 - Level 5 Zoo Hours
For over a century, a bell called the "Kaiserglockerl" has been rung to announce the daily closing time of a zoo in what European city?
A. Athens B. Rome
C. Vienna D. Dublin

JTQ 1

Bill is not sure but leaning Vienna as it sounds Austrian, or the language there

Answer and value

C. Vienna
Value: $5K jumped
Bank: $43K

He should have been more confident. My first thought was "Berlin" but since Vienna was the only German-speaking city of the four choices, that would have been my answer.

Question 6 - Level 7 Barrel of Fish
Culinarily speaking, which of these types of fish is considered a flat, white fish?
A. Tuna B. Halibut
C. Salmon D. Mackerel

Spoiler

Bill says his family has been working in seafood restaurants all his life so he should know.
Bill could eliminate A & C, and debated as to whether it was worth the gamble.
He said he is gutsy and would go for it.

Answer and value

B. Halibut
Value: $100
Bank: $43100

I'm not a big seafood fan but, like Bill, I could eliminate A and C. I'd ATA on this question.

[RockerBee]

Was this the best lifeline usage? Maybe not. But for those who haven't been on the show, it's a LOT different once you're there. In addition to the overwhelming pressure of playing for a life-changing amount of money, there's definitely a vibe of being rushed to play. It's not the same as sitting at home thinking oh okay mmm the answer has to be ___. You're thinking okay I need to get through this quickly so that people don't come out and yell at me to hurry up, or disqualify me. And when you're up there, you're also thinking I'm pretty sure about the answer, but am I sure enough to not only risk $43k (what he had on his first jump) but also the shot at a MILLION dollars? Yes, Vienna was the only German-speaking city, but I can empathize with his train of thought. He arrived at the correct conclusion, it's in Austria and that's the only one where German is spoken, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's there. It could be in Rome, and without having heard of it before, is it enough to risk all that money? Then it comes down to do I want to lose $43,000, or do I want to jump it and risk people I don't know thinking I'm stupid? I'd rather look like an idiot than lose a good year's salary for a lot of people! Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Was this the best lifeline usage? Maybe not. But for those who haven't been on the show, it's a LOT different once you're there. In addition to the overwhelming pressure of playing for a life-changing amount of money, there's definitely a vibe of being rushed to play. It's not the same as sitting at home thinking oh okay mmm the answer has to be ___. You're thinking okay I need to get through this quickly so that people don't come out and yell at me to hurry up, or disqualify me. And when you're up there, you're also thinking I'm pretty sure about the answer, but am I sure enough to not only risk $43k (what he had on his first jump) but also the shot at a MILLION dollars? Yes, Vienna was the only German-speaking city, but I can empathize with his train of thought. He arrived at the correct conclusion, it's in Austria and that's the only one where German is spoken, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's there. It could be in Rome, and without having heard of it before, is it enough to risk all that money? Then it comes down to do I want to lose $43,000, or do I want to jump it and risk people I don't know thinking I'm stupid? I'd rather look like an idiot than lose a good year's salary for a lot of people! Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

There is a little history on the bored about hubris from the couch

110. What was the exact title of the subject line of Post #94789, walhal's 646th and final post made on the night of August 29, 2000?

One of the idiots speaks

[frogman042]

Was this the best lifeline usage? Maybe not. But for those who haven't been on the show, it's a LOT different once you're there. In addition to the overwhelming pressure of playing for a life-changing amount of money, there's definitely a vibe of being rushed to play. It's not the same as sitting at home thinking oh okay mmm the answer has to be ___. You're thinking okay I need to get through this quickly so that people don't come out and yell at me to hurry up, or disqualify me. And when you're up there, you're also thinking I'm pretty sure about the answer, but am I sure enough to not only risk $43k (what he had on his first jump) but also the shot at a MILLION dollars? Yes, Vienna was the only German-speaking city, but I can empathize with his train of thought. He arrived at the correct conclusion, it's in Austria and that's the only one where German is spoken, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's there. It could be in Rome, and without having heard of it before, is it enough to risk all that money? Then it comes down to do I want to lose $43,000, or do I want to jump it and risk people I don't know thinking I'm stupid? I'd rather look like an idiot than lose a good year's salary for a lot of people! Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

I agree it is much different up there than at home, and it is not easy to understand what is going through the mind of the contestant. While it seems obvious that it has to be Vienna because of the use of German as the name of the bell - what if the question read - "Where would you find 'The Spanish Steps'?" and the choices were the same except replace Dublin with Madrid....

If you know, it is is easy, but if you don't and use logic to figure it out - you're screwed.

FWIW, this is my traditional response.

[Jeemie]

They showed Bill a German word, and only one German-speaking city, but he never made the connection.

No- that's what makes this jump worse.

He DID make the connection- he pointed out Vienna right away.

But then somewhere in his mind, he seemed to be worried this was a trick question, so he jumped.

As for the Civil War question, he might not have known where the Civil War started. I know- we think it's an easy history question, but he may not. So I won't be as harsh there.

But "Spike League"? German word and only one "German" city as an answer choice?

Pull the trigger, man!

[Jeemie]

Was this the best lifeline usage? Maybe not. But for those who haven't been on the show, it's a LOT different once you're there. In addition to the overwhelming pressure of playing for a life-changing amount of money, there's definitely a vibe of being rushed to play. It's not the same as sitting at home thinking oh okay mmm the answer has to be ___. You're thinking okay I need to get through this quickly so that people don't come out and yell at me to hurry up, or disqualify me. And when you're up there, you're also thinking I'm pretty sure about the answer, but am I sure enough to not only risk $43k (what he had on his first jump) but also the shot at a MILLION dollars? Yes, Vienna was the only German-speaking city, but I can empathize with his train of thought. He arrived at the correct conclusion, it's in Austria and that's the only one where German is spoken, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's there. It could be in Rome, and without having heard of it before, is it enough to risk all that money? Then it comes down to do I want to lose $43,000, or do I want to jump it and risk people I don't know thinking I'm stupid? I'd rather look like an idiot than lose a good year's salary for a lot of people! Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

I understand all that.

I'm not usually this harsh.

It just rubbed me the wrong way, that's all.

[MarleysGh0st]

Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

Some of us have been trying for years to have that rough experience, but have been denied the chance. In the meantime, we judge the game play, because the game play is what interests us on the show. Not the stories and anecdotes and over the top excitement and the random gimmicks taken from DoND and other shows.

And if contestants want a shot at a million dollars, they better not use their lifelines on questions that ought to be slam dunks. The upper tier certainly isn't going to get easier.

[Jeemie]

BTW, when the audience gives you the "OH" treatment on a the use of JTQ, I think that's a sign you blew your lifeline on what should have been a slam dunk question.

[vettech]

Before I was on the show I was hard on the contestants from the comfort of my couch. Now I find I'm even harsher, to the point where I almost can't watch because I get so frustrated.

[Jeemie]

While it seems obvious that it has to be Vienna because of the use of German as the name of the bell - what if the question read - "Where would you find 'The Spanish Steps'?" and the choices were the same except replace Dublin with Madrid....

Your analogy would make more sense if they gave you the term in Spanish- Las Escaleras Españolas.

And in Rome, they're not called that- they're called Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti.

But they gave the GERMAN word- pointing to a GERMAN-speaking country.

I'm not aware of any place that's known by it's foreign language name in a different country.

I could be wrong.

Sorry- he should have known.

[kusch]

Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

Some of us have been trying for years to have that rough experience, but have been denied the chance. In the meantime, we judge the game play, because the game play is what interests us on the show. Not the stories and anecdotes and over the top excitement and the random gimmicks taken from DoND and other shows.

And if contestants want a shot at a million dollars, they better not use their lifelines on questions that ought to be slam dunks. The upper tier certainly isn't going to get easier.

I don't agree what with the new jumbled format, all of the easy questions COULD be in the upper tier.

I still do not like the "new" format.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

the other part of the Zoo Clue was the "hundred years" since Vienna considers itself the oldest zoo.

[Jeemie]

Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

Some of us have been trying for years to have that rough experience, but have been denied the chance. In the meantime, we judge the game play, because the game play is what interests us on the show. Not the stories and anecdotes and over the top excitement and the random gimmicks taken from DoND and other shows.

And if contestants want a shot at a million dollars, they better not use their lifelines on questions that ought to be slam dunks. The upper tier certainly isn't going to get easier.

I don't agree what with the new jumbled format, all of the easy questions COULD be in the upper tier.

I still do not like the "new" format.

What Marley is referring to as the "upper tier" are the four questions where you play "Classic Millionaire"- the questions worth $100K, $250K, $500K, and $1 MM.

[Bob Juch]

I'm not aware of any place that's known by its foreign language name in a different country.

Except for all the Spanish and French names for American places.

[RockerBee]

I get that, I do. But a lot of the contestants have probably been trying for years too. And they likely kick themselves forever for wasting lifelines or making guesses without reading through the questions, and think damn after all that time and anticipation, I messed up and cost myself a lot of money. And yes, of course the game play is what's interesting. But there are a lot of mitigating factors. Now that it's randomized, it's hard to tell if it's a trick question or not. You can try memorizing the first and last 3, but some people might not think of that or you could forget under pressure.

For an example of a question that could be tricky, pretend like you don't know anything about the subject of the following question: "In what city is the world-famous art museum the Hermitage located?" Answers: Dublin, Madrid, Paris, or Saint Petersburg. If you didn't know what the Hermitage was, the logical way to deduct where it is would be Hermitage is French, and the only place they speak French amongst those choices is Paris, and France is a lot better known for its art than the others, so I'll pick C, Paris, final answer. And you'd be wrong, it's in Saint Petersburg. And a "kaiserglockerl" from Bill's question isn't a real well-known term. I agree, I thought the answer was pretty obvious, but I also took German for 6 years so aside from the fact that Vienna is the only city that speaks German on that list, I know that "kaiser" is a word for a German or Austrian emperor, and no clue what the rest of the word means, but a Glock is a gun made in Austria. For Bill, he wasn't confident, so he was thinking do I go with my gut here even though I don't know, and risk $43k, or use one of these lovely lifelines I have to help me when I'm not sure. I can't fault him there. And I feel bad for him, since he did use 2 lifelines on questions he actually knew.

Bottom line, I get the impulse to judge, not gonna lie, I do it too, but after being on the show, my perspective has changed. Try and take it easier on the contestants, it's a rough experience!

Some of us have been trying for years to have that rough experience, but have been denied the chance. In the meantime, we judge the game play, because the game play is what interests us on the show. Not the stories and anecdotes and over the top excitement and the random gimmicks taken from DoND and other shows.

And if contestants want a shot at a million dollars, they better not use their lifelines on questions that ought to be slam dunks. The upper tier certainly isn't going to get easier.

[tanstaafl2]

Question 5 - Level 8 War and Remembrance
Marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, on April 12, 2011, two beams of light were aimed of the skies of what site?
A. Antietam B. Gettysburg
C. Fort Sumter D. Appomattox

I dunno if this is geography or history, but I know it.

It's history!

It is also sad that this cast member wouldn't have a freakin' clue.

Not surprising mind you.

But sad all the same.

[CarShark]

Before I was on the show I was hard on the contestants from the comfort of my couch. Now I find I'm even harsher, to the point where I almost can't watch because I get so frustrated.

I think that's because you weren't afraid to go for it. You risked serious coin in Round Two, so it must irritate you when you see people go through the whole "I think I know, but I'm not 100% sure, so I'll use a lifeline" schtick which plagues most contestants when they have a few thousand.

[vettech]

it must irritate you when you see people go through the whole "I think I know, but I'm not 100% sure, so I'll WASTE a lifeline" schtick which plagues most contestants when they have a few thousand.

Fixed that for you.

That has always irritated me and always will.

[littlebeast13]

Before I was on the show I was hard on the contestants from the comfort of my couch. Now I find I'm even harsher, to the point where I almost can't watch because I get so frustrated.

OMG! You're the Anti-Walhal!




I'm wondering if you are Bored savvy enough to get that reference, which goes way back before your time here.....

lb13